A simple test for predicting pregnancy-induced hypertension

One hundred thirty-one nulliparous patients between 28 to 34 weeks' gestation with no known history of renal disease or hypertension were placed in the left lateral recumbent position and their blood pressures were taken once and recorded. They then turned to the supine position where another blood pressure was taken within 2 minutes and also recorded. All these patients were then followed routinely throught their pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum period. Of those patients whose diastolic blood pressure during the modified "roll-over" test rose less than 15 mmHg, only 2 of 99 developed pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Of those whose roll-over test showed an increase of more than 15 mmHg, 23 of 32 developed PIH (P less than .000000001). Of those whose blood pressure during the roll-over developed PIH(P less than .00000001). Also, 10 of 11 patients whose diastolic blood pressure increased more than 25 mmHg during the roll-over test developed PIH (P less than .000000001).